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Our mascot: Agrippina von Köln

We hope you all already got to know our beloved mascot Agrippina von Köln! If not, now is the time to become friends with her.

Agrippina is our turtle mascot. She likes to cuddle with Erasmus Students, take rockstar pictures on every occasion and invite you to all our events so you will not miss the best parties and get-togethers.
However, as a matter of fact Agrippina is named after the founder of Cologne during roman times –

Agrippina the Younger. Agrippina, who was born in 15 A.D., was the mother of the famous emperor Nero. In the year 49 A.D. she married her uncle Claudius in order to strengthen her power and to give her son the possibility to be the emperor’s reign. She herself was the first female roman emperor and decided to found a colony located at her birthplace which got named after her: Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium.

Agrippina was murdered by her son in 59 A.D. and is still a famous character of Colonia, Cologne, Köln. She is present all over the city.

In November, when we start celebrating Carnival you will realize that the parades’ leaders are always three people: a prince, a farmer and a virgin. The character of the virgin represents Agrippina, the protecting mother Colonia, who founded the city. Her crown and her virginity symbolize the impregnability of Cologne when it was still surrounded by city walls.
You can find her at our city hall or even discover her during a walk through the city when you least expect it.

ESN at a glance

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is a non-profit international student organisation. Our mission is to represent international students, thus provide opportunities for cultural understanding and self-development under the principle of Students Helping Students.